Southwest Has Shooter in Loch Dubh
Three-year-olds be prepared, the first major prep for the Arkansas Derby is less than eight days away, and will kick start someone’s bid into the Kentucky Derby. The $250,000 Southwest launches Oaklawn’s road to the Triple Crown. Fans have heard of Silver City, Flat Out, and Old Fashioned amongst others, but a new contender pointing for the Southwest will be Loch Dubh.
Trained by Jeff Talley, Loch Dubh will be lining up for the biggest start of his career in the President’s Day feature. In his latest start the son of Friends Lake took the Turfway Prevue at Turfway Park and has been working forwardly for the Southwest.
“He could not be doing any better, I’m very happy with the way he has trained up to the Southwest,” commented Talley. “He really loves the track, I’m very happy with everything he has done.”
“We are going to try him around two turns and see how that goes, but I don’t think he should have any problems,” Talley mentioned. “It is that time of year where if you have a three-year-old with some ability you want to give him a shot at the Kentucky Derby, and that’s what we are doing with Loch Dubh. He is an unbelievably good looking big horse. I’m excited about the Southwest.”
Plans are for Loch Dubh to register one more workout before the Southwest on Tuesday. Jockey Jon Court (pictured) will ride Loch Dubh in the Southwest.
Holthus Has One for the Pippin
One trainer at Oaklawn Park that fans can always count on is Bob Holthus (pictured). The legendary trainer even has his own keys to Oaklawn, and 2009 marks his 56th year at Oaklawn training horses.
Holthus has trained Oaklawn favorites Lawyer Ron, Proper Reality and, most recently, Pure Clan, who is in his barn now. Pure Clan showed her ability last year, running second in the Martha Washington and third in the Fantasy behind the ill-fated Eight Belles. For now fans will have to wait to see Pure Clan run in the spring, but until then they can focus on Day of Thunder.
Day of Victory exits an allowance score on January 30th, and now will step up in the $50,000 Pippin, February 14th. “I am impressed with how she is doing,” avowed Holthus, the all-time leader of races won at Oaklawn. “She came out of her last race in good shape, and we hope for a good effort from her in the Pippin.”
The veteran trainer has resumed training duties after being sidelined for two weeks, the results of a problematic defibrillator. “Physicians repaired the one that I wear. I also underwent shock treatment. I am feeling very well, now,” remarked Holthus.
The veteran trainer has already taken two runnings of the Pippin in 2002 and 2003 with Red N’ Gold. Day of Thunder could make it three.
A Little Bit More
Trainer Jim Baker’s Gresham worked five panels this morning in preparation for his start in the Southwest. The bay colt worked in 1:01 over a fast track. Also Donnie K. Von Hemel’s Euphony (pictured) worked this morning going the same distance as Gresham, and working in the same time. Euphony took last year’s running of the Instant Racing Breeders’ Cup.
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